Peoria Times
July 8, 2021
RELIGION
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Embrace the ups and downs of life CHURCH-COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph Peoria Times Columnist
One of my favorite people in the world is my brother-in-law, who is celebrating his 80th birthday this month. I thought I would encourage Bill and all of you readers with a upgraded view of birthdays. A few years ago, on my birthday, I read an essay that astounded me. It is written by my friend and colleague Pastor Gregory Lan Ijiwola, who posted the unique piece on his Facebook page. He is Nigerian by birth and one of the finest examples of a Christian I have ever met. He and his wife, Debo, have invested their lives in building a great community transforming church in the south Chicago area. If you know Africans, they have a fantastic way of capturing and putting into words unexpected ways of
describing concepts that Westerners would never consider. As I read the essay, I was stunned by his essay’s authenticity, integrity, humility and audacity. His writing about himself on his birthday was titled “Happy Birthday to Me.” That’s undoubtedly not self-deprecating. Usually, people sing, “Happy birthday to you.” But Gregory captured and articulated something special from which we all can glean. Here’s his essay. “I have failed and have succeeded. I have fallen and have risen. I have lacked and had plenty. I have loved and struggled to love. I have dreamed and have doubted. I have laughed and have wept. I have feared and have dared. “I have fought, and I have reconciled. I have broken, and I have mended. I have ‘friended’; I have offended. I have been sad; I have been joyful. I have despaired, and I have hoped. I have been helped, and I have helped. I have lost, and I have gained. I have given, and I have withheld. I have been cold, and I have been hot. I have gone, and I have stayed. I have complained, and I have
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bling blocks will come in this life. There will be trials. Jesus also said blessed is the one who is not overcome by what God is doing amid the difficulties in our lives. Someone once said, “Mountaintops inspire leaders; valleys mature them.” Remember, failure is a bruise, not a tattoo. No grit, no pearl. Welcome to maturity and overcoming. The idea is to grow up before we grow old. Aspire to inspire before you expire. Is it one day or day one? Be an overcomer, not overcome. You decide. Not if but when Pastor Gregory falls or fails, he gets up. He recovers. He learns. He overcomes. He will never be perfect. He realizes setbacks pave the way for comebacks. That’s called life. Excrement happens! The only people who don’t create waste are dead people. That’s not an excuse. It’s real life. “Happy Birthday to Me” is a celebration of who you are. Not in the self-absorbed, “It’s all about me,” “selfie” way. “Happy Birthday to Me” declares SEE UPS AND DOWNS PAGE 14
Shepherd of the Desert
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praised. I have been foolish, and I have been wise. “Through it all, I am alive. I am loved. I am saved. I am on a journey. I am not quitting, stopping or meandering. I am Gregory Lan Ijiwola. Always pushing forward. Always dreaming. Always rising. Always advancing. Always daring. Always hoping. Always grateful. Happy birthday to me!” There you go, wasn’t that refreshing? Happy birthday to me. Someone in the reader audience needs Pastor Gregory’s essay today. Like Pastor Gregory, you have been through challenges and trials. Some of the difficulties and wounds originated from the choices you made. Some were not. You have been up, down and all around. You might feel lower than a snake’s belly right now. But you are here. You are alive. So far, you’ve survived 100% of your worst days. You aren’t perfect. You’ve made mistakes. You have offended and been offended. You’ve been both wrong, and you have been right. That’s life. Jesus said it’s inevitable that stum-
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